What’s The Difference Between a Nanny and a Babysitter?
Permanent nannies have a regular, set schedule for your long-term childcare needs. Our babysitting services are designed for occasional needs such as date nights, school breaks, and holidays. We offer a subscription service that provides access to Boston Nanny Centre’s pool of pre-screened, experienced, and qualified babysitters for regular date nights, mother’s helpers, and weekend help with the children.
Our Signature Babysitting Service
Our Signature 4-Step Placement Process makes it easy to find the perfect babysitter in Boston for your family.
No matter what type of care your family needs, we’re here for you.
Date
Nights
Mother’s Helpers
Weekends
Away
School Breaks and Holidays
Hotel
Services
Are you looking for a long-term nanny?
We offer long-term full and part-time, live-in and live-out nanny services to fit your family’s unique needs and lifestyle.
FAQs
In addition to placing qualified nannies, the Boston Nanny Centre offers babysitting services for your convenience. Our goal is to make the entire placement process as seamless and transparent for all parties involved.
How do I get started?
Families start our process by completing our babysitting application. Our dedicated staff will email the family upon receipt of the application to set up a time for an intake that will ensure we have an accurate understanding of the family’s needs.
Do you provide back-up care for children who are sick?
No, we do not offer backup care. Temporary care must be requested at least 48 business hours prior to the coverage date/time. Additionally, we are unable to provide care in the following situations:
Flu, head lice, fevers above 102 degrees, and highly contagious viruses (at the discretion of our staff).
What are the babysitters’ qualifications?
All of our babysitters are fully screened by our placement staff. They have gone through our Signature Screening Process and have at least 3 references, experience in childcare, and have been background checked within the past year. At minimum, they are 21 years old, are legally able to work in the US, and are CPR certified.
What is your Cancellation/Change Policy?
Once we have confirmed your booking, the Referral Fee will be processed with no refunds. If an assignment is canceled or changed with less than 24 hours notice, you will also be responsible for paying the nanny for 4 hours. If the sitter cancels, we will find a replacement, or apply a credit toward a future booking.
Is it possible to always have the same sitter?
We will always try our best to provide consistency with the caregivers we provide to you. However, we cannot guarantee the same person will be available for each booking.
Can I interview the babysitter ahead of time?
For babysitting assignments, there is no interview process, coverage is simply booked and confirmed. However, we will provide you with a bio that has information about the personality and experience of the sitter. The sitter may also reach out to you ahead of your booked date to discuss your family’s needs.
Can I make arrangements directly with the babysitter?
All bookings should go through BNC directly.
What does your background check include?
Our background check covers: a comprehensive criminal history, criminal history checks in each county that the nanny has resided in, federal criminal history checks in each state the nanny has resided in, the sex offender registry, the national security watch list, and a driving record check (if applicable).
What areas do you serve?
The entirety of Boston and the Greater Boston Area and beyond. Specific towns include: Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Malden, Winthrop, Arlington, Watertown, Waltham, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Dedham, Milton, Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham, Cohasset, Duxbury, Canton, Norwood, Westwood, Medfield, Dover, Sherborn, Wayland, Weston, Framingham, Lincoln, Maynard, Lexington, Bedford, Concord, Carlisle, Woburn, Stoneham, Wakefield, Lynnfield, Burlington, Sharon, Natick, Belmont, Acton, Melrose, Winchester, Marshfield, Scituate, Westborough, Ashland, Hamilton, and beyond. If you don’t see your location listed here, please contact us.
How do I pay?
For subscription services, we will keep a valid credit card number on file and automatically debit the card on the subscription’s renewal date each month.
How do I deal with taxes?
As a household employer, you are obligated to contribute to Social Security and Medicare taxes and issue a W-2 form for any babysitter you employ who you pay $2,600 or more in the year.
What should I expect to pay a sitter?
Babysitting rates are between $30-35+ per hour (based on number of children) and the same goes for specialized placements such as overnight care. For any placement lasting a week or more, overtime rates (1.5x) apply for hours worked over 40 hours during the week. You will also need to reimburse for any incidentals such as mileage (if the babysitter is driving the children with their car) and occasionally, parking.
How far in advance do I need to request a babysitter?
We ask that you give us at least 48 business hours notice for any requests. However, the more notice we have, the more likely we are to have a sitter available. For last minute needs, we will do our best to fulfill your requests.
What if I decide to hire a babysitter on a permanent basis?
If you love one of our sitters, we will gladly assist you in hiring them on permanently. Our Nanny Placement fee will apply.
Screening Services
Have you identified a babysitting candidate independently and would like to see our screening services?
Looking For A Nanny?
We offer long-term and one time/temporary, full and part-time, live-in and live-out nanny services to fit your family’s unique needs and lifestyle.
Learn more about our nanny placement process and apply here.
Looking for a Household Staff member?
We also offer household staffing services including chefs, housekeepers, and personal assistants for your convenience.
Learn more about our additional staffing services and inquire here.
